Inclusive celebrations can serve as important learning experiences by providing opportunities to discuss and acknowledge the many kinds of families in our communities and the many caregivers who are in students’ lives.

These holidays can also create teachable moments for older elementary students about gender and how the roles of mother and father are tied to certain gender stereotypes and do not include non-binary identities. For younger students it eliminates gender specific holidays and stereotypes and sets the stage for understanding the many kinds of families.

For some students, it may be especially affirming to see their families acknowledged in the classroom. When students feel seen and understood at school, they fare better both emotionally and academically. They feel safe and will take risks in their learning.

Our goal is to be a school that celebrate with a Parents’ Day or Family Day so that activities can be more inclusive of the many families in our school, including those with non-binary identities.

We recognize that there may be students in each class who have lost a a parent or the parent is absent, we also have families with single parents, and difficult emotions may come up for a student if we celebrate Mother’s Day or Father’s Day in our classrooms.

This follows our Mission of making everyone feel welcome.